Question:
When researchers compared the ADS with other known indicators of heart disease
risk, they found the oral health score was a stronger predictor of risk than
several well-studied factors, including some types of inflammatory markers for
heart disease and cholesterol levels.
Which Comes First -- Cavities or Heart Disease?
Although this study shows overall oral health is significantly associated with
heart disease, researchers say it doesn't not necessarily mean that poor oral
health causes heart disease. They say more study is needed to determine whether
poor oral heath contributes to or is the result of heart disease. Janket
suggests that oral health may not only contribute to heart disease through the
inflammation process but also through poor nutrition.
"People who do not have teeth cannot chew their food well and therefore do not
get as much heart-healthy nutrients or fiber," says Janket. "Future studies
should look at nutrition, oral health, and coronary heart disease."
Answer:
Interesting...but I am struck that they just barely touch upon what I feel is
perhaps the most significant factor in such a correlation. Most dental disease
is preventable, and good diet can also greatly reduce incidence many types of
heart disease. My experience has shown that most folks who neglect their teeth,
and would therefore be likely to have one or more of the mentioned dental
conditions, also engage in behavior likely to cause or worsen heart disease.
I have found similar correlations made between sleep apnea and high blood
pressure. Some studies analyze if one causes the other, but seem to ignore that
a significant number of people with sleep apnea are grossly obese, and it may be
that both high BP and apnea are simply consequences of their obesity.
At times it seems studies go to great lengths to ignore the obvious.
Understood T and you state it well. What I think the key is here, though im not
sure if they mention it to any great degree in this article is the role of
inflammation. It seems so many disease and indicators of risks of these
diseases comes down to degree of inflammation in the body. Gingiv*itis* is
inflammation im strongly assuming. If the gums are inflamed then perhaps the
chance of the inner arteries being inflamed is raised. Will there come a day
when DDS's will be recommending statins, baby aspirin, antioxidants etc to
treat advanced gingivitis? Along of course with all the appropriate dental
treatments. I think the most compelling cases would be those individuals who
are "doing everything right" dentally and still have advanced gingivitis - they
may very well be at advanced risk of CVD.
